ˋànㄊㄨˊㄙㄨㄛˇsuǒㄐㄧˋ

  1. 按照圖象尋求漢書··》:三代選舉當時伯樂騏驥不可得。」比喻做事拘泥成法呆板不知變通·從子按圖索驥。」無跡可尋

  2. 按照線索尋找探求比喻掌握線索辦事

lit. looking for a fine horse using only a picture (idiom)​, fig. to do things along rigid, conventional lines, to try and find sth with the help of a clue
suivre une piste pour trouver qch
strikt schematisch vorgehen (Sprichw)​